MP targets further support for Woodbank Hall restoration

Local MP Lisa Smart has met with Historic England to discuss options for reviving Woodbank Hall, the Grade II* listed building in Woodbank Memorial Park.

Following work with Stockport Council, and meetings with organisations like the Heritage Fund, she is looking to bring together all the groups who can support bringing the wonderful building back into use with a genuine community focus. 

Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove constituency, said: “There is such a strength of feeling from the community about how much this building means to them, and there have been so many attempts made in the past to find a solution. 

“There is a real groundswell of support from the different organisations, and we need to bring this together to get the right package – something that has stacks up with regards to funding, gives the building a real purpose, and delivers for the community.” 

Historic England have been involved in supporting the project before, working with Stockport Council when the local authority put a quarter of a million pounds into critical works to make it weatherproof and remove asbestos.

Lisa continued: “We know what people want – and different groups have been involved in different ways. That’s why my goal is to get everyone working together, with a real vision of what Woodbank Hall could be, and with a practical focus on tying together the plans and the funding.

“Woodbank Hall needs a future, and I’m determined to give it one.”